First published on Monday 03 December 2001:

Rally calls for peace

Hundreds of anti-war campaigners marched through the streets of Oxford yesterday to protest against the war in Afghanistan.

A 700-strong group set out from Manzil Way, east Oxford, and walked down Cowley Road and High Street before a rally outside the Sheldonian Theatre, in Broad Street.

The demonstration was organised by the Oxford Stop the War Coalition.

The speakers included Dr Jonathan Farley, of the US Green Party.

Chris Chilvers, chief steward at the demonstration, called on the Allies to stop the conflict and send more humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

He said: "I think it's increasingly appropriate for us to stage such an event when British troops are being asked to set foot in a very dangerous situation. We should give aid without conditions now if we are to prevent mass starvation in Afghanistan this winter."